What looked like an ordinary Boxing Day get-together in a Swansea neighbourhood was quietly brushing shoulders with prime-time television history.
As neighbours chatted and laughed over festive drinks, no one suspected that Fiona Hughes, standing among them, was about to become one of the most talked-about faces on BBC One.
Even fewer imagined she would soon be watched by millions as the very first secret Traitor on The Traitors.
From Friendly Neighbour to Secret Mastermind
At 62, Fiona gave absolutely nothing away.
The local government worker from Swansea, fondly known as “lovely Fiona,” came across as warm, lively, and endlessly cheerful.
Yet when the show aired on Wednesday night, viewers discovered she had been quietly handed the ultimate twist in episode one — the role of Secret Traitor — by host Claudia Winkleman herself.
Behind that welcoming smile was a contestant ready to scheme, deceive, and play the game harder than anyone expected.
A Power Play Revealed on National Television
When Fiona was finally unmasked, the moment was pure television drama.
Viewers watched as she gleefully promised Claudia Winkleman she would embrace her dark side, vowing to be “as treacherous as possible.”
Revelling in the reveal, she laughed that she was “drunk on power,” clearly enjoying every second of the deception.
Her transformation stunned audiences who had completely bought into her friendly façade.
Fellow Traitors Left Reeling
The shock didn’t stop with viewers.
Fellow Traitors Stephen Libby, 32, and Rachel Duffy, 42, were visibly stunned when Fiona’s true role was exposed.
Far from apologetic, Fiona leaned into the moment with confidence, smugly telling her castmates how brilliantly she had played them and joking that “Hollywood is beckoning.”
Rachel admitted Fiona’s arrival made her uneasy, sensing she would shake things up, while Stephen openly acknowledged she was playing a strong and calculated game.
Turning on One of Her Own
Fiona wasted no time proving just how dangerous she could be.
By episode three, she had already turned on fellow Traitor Hugo Bailey, 51, a move that led directly to his banishment from the Scottish castle.
It was a ruthless decision that confirmed Fiona wasn’t just pretending to be a villain — she was fully committed to winning.
Keeping Neighbours Completely in the Dark
Back home in Dunvant, a former mining village turned suburban district of Swansea, Fiona managed to pull off an equally impressive act.
Living with her husband Gwyn, she told no one about her appearance on The Traitors — not even the neighbours she spent Boxing Day celebrating with.
It was only when the series launched that locals switched on their televisions and realised their friend had been quietly plotting on national TV all along.
“She’s the Sort Who Can Keep a Secret”
Neighbour Rosemary Evans, who hosted the Boxing Day gathering, wasn’t surprised Fiona had kept it hidden.
She described her as someone capable of holding a secret and said she could easily imagine her pulling off a convincing cover-up.
Praising both Fiona and Gwyn as wonderful neighbours, she shared how supportive they are and admitted she’s rooting for Fiona to go all the way.
A Stark Contrast Away from the Cameras
Off-screen, Fiona’s real life couldn’t be more different from her Traitor persona.
Another neighbour revealed they had no idea she was even on the show, describing her as someone who has spent her life helping others.
Fiona runs Bluebells, a dementia-friendly lunch club, and has supported dozens of men in Swansea dealing with depression and mental health challenges.
Building Community Through Compassion
As a local area co-ordinator with Swansea Council, Fiona also founded the Victoria Saints Men’s Club.
The group has grown so quickly since launching in September 2024 that it recently had to move into larger premises to accommodate demand.
The club brings together men aged from their thirties right up to 92, offering companionship, conversation, and support for loneliness and isolation.
“Putting the World to Rights Over Coffee”
Proud husband Gwyn, who helps run the group, explained that the men meet every Monday morning for three hours. Over coffee, bacon rolls, and plenty of biscuits, they talk, laugh, and support one another.
Fiona attends as part of her job, helping guide members toward additional support and services when needed — a far cry from the manipulative strategist viewers see on screen.
The Game Continues
While her neighbours cheer her on from Swansea, Fiona’s journey inside the castle is far from over.
The Traitors continues on January 8 at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer — and if her secret start is anything to go by, there may be many more twists still to come.
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